Chapter 10
Chapter 10
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Arrogant Outsider
-----------------------------------------------------------------
***
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As my shift at the sandwich shop ended and I was heading home, there was a girl sitting by the side of the building.
She had neat bangs and long hair tied back, draped over her shoulder in front.
It looked like Han Si-a, the study-obsessed top student from the insider class next door.
These days, seeing her at the sandwich shop every day made this version of her feel more familiar than the popular girl vibe she had at school.
I'd wondered why she hadn't shown up today, but instead of coming inside, what was she doing out here?
Her eyes were red and puffy, so it seemed like she'd been crying.
Honestly, I couldn't picture a situation where she'd cry.
Even if she got mugged on the street, she'd probably keep a straight face and go secure the nearest CCTV footage.
So I decided to pretend I hadn't seen her and keep walking.
There are some bold folks who say if you see someone you know crying, you should go ask why and listen or help out. I think that's wrong.
Someone unstable enough to break down crying in public isn't in a state to be reasoned with.
You approach, and they might just see you as an emotional punching bag and unload on you—especially if you're someone like me, with no money, no connections, and no friends.
Listening, comforting, or helping only works once they've calmed down, regained their senses, and can communicate normally.
If we'd run into each other at school tomorrow, I could bring it up then. It wouldn't be too late.
Not that we'd necessarily cross paths!
With perfectly rational judgment, I turned my back and headed straight home...
"Ah! Si-a!! Oh no, what happened? Yi-an!!! Si-a's crying here!!! Hurry and come help!!!"
Home... that's what I wanted, but Yoo So-mi, clocking out with me, blocked that plan.
Damn it!
...
Before my regression, as a decently paid office worker, in a situation like this, I'd have taken her to a nearby cafe or bar to hear her out.
Order coffees, maybe ask if she wanted dessert.
Sip once, comment on the taste—decent, too bitter, overpriced for the quality, whatever.
It's a way to reassure them and buy time to sort your thoughts before saying something hard to take back.
But we're just broke high schoolers. Can't afford that kind of luxury.
Bars are out of the question, and no way am I dropping 3 BTC (2011 prices) on coffee just for this—especially when there's a spot way better suited for students like us.
We went back into the sandwich shop, grabbed some cups of soda, and headed to the nearby park.
The owner didn't charge the kid who'd just been working there for soda, either.
Anyway, each of us held a cup as we sat on a park bench.
Mid-April nights were still chilly, but we were bundled up enough that it wasn't a big deal.
If anything, with no mosquitoes out yet, it was pretty pleasant.
But it was still a chilly outdoor spot. No leisurely chat like in a cafe.
I didn't want to dive straight into it with someone this unstable, but we couldn't sit here for an hour or two either.
Yoo So-mi was just silently hugging Han Si-a, so in the end, I spoke up.
"We brought you here 'cause you don't look so hot. If we're butting in where we shouldn't, just say so. Honestly, judging from the outside... your state right now is, well..."
Hugged by Yoo So-mi and staring blankly at the ground, Han Si-a kept her gaze down and answered weakly.
"No. Thanks for caring. Truth is, I had something to say to you. That's why I went to the sandwich shop. Probably."
"I... need to apologize to you."
What followed was a dull rundown of her family drama and how she'd accidentally gotten hold of and read the notes I'd organized.
She said it like she felt terribly sorry... but honestly, I didn't care much. If they were that secret or precious, I'd have guarded them better.
For reference, my real treasure—my paycheck savings account—is hidden where even family can't find it. Mom can't withdraw without my okay.
What did piss me off was that the library club seniors sold my notes, stuffed their faces with goodies, and wiped their mouths without a word to me.
They could've shared some gift cards or something. Heartless bastards.
But what really set me off was what came next.
"I wanted to compete with you fair and square and win, but now it's all meaningless... The outcome's basically set, no matter your skill or effort."
.......What?
"The stuff in those notes was genuinely impressive. If you'd kept that info to yourself, you might've had a shot at beating me. But now..."
..........Huh????
Was this fresh high school newbie—who hadn't even taken midterms yet and was basically a 'lucky middle schooler'—telling a 35-year-old with college and grad school under his belt, 'Sorry I study too well despite your efforts'?
I've studied way longer than the teachers at our school, for God's sake????
She didn't know I was a regressor, so this was innocent talk on her end, but if the goal was to apologize or poke at me... mission more than accomplished.
"I didn't mean for it to happen, but I should apologize clearly. Sorry. I crushed your secret weapon."
"Part of me wants to tank the exam on purpose and hand you first place, but that wouldn't make up for how you feel."
That's not it!! You're!!! Trampling!!! My feelings!!! Right now!!!
I'd just gotten off work, wanted to rest, but held it in to listen—and now she's rubbing it in my face like this. Hard to keep a poker face.
She's making such a sincere apology face while saying this crap, so blowing up right in her face feels awkward too. Makes it worse.
Whew... She's just a lucky middle schooler kid... I'm the adult, gotta hold it together... Lucky middle schooler... Adult here has to endure...
"If you want, I could help with your exam prep. We're not rivals anymore, right? No need to hide stuff. I don't brag, but our family's loaded, so I've got access to all sorts of grade-boosting info—top academies with real pros, great private tutors. I'd tell you everything I know if you want..."
Hey, you little bitch. Who said we're not rivals? Who the hell are you? Some average nobody clinging to inner rankings by throwing money at academies, now offering to hook me up with tutors?
"Hey, you little bitch! I know way more than those so-called tutors or teachers. Hell, I study better!"
Ah, screw it. Can't hold back.
No more, no more. Screw being the adult. I'm a kid too. She's a kid. Forget adult responsibility crap.
"...What?"
"You're just a 'lucky middle schooler' freaking out over one set of notes, acting like you've already won? You average nobody!"
"What the hell are you even mad about... I'm apologizing for my screw-up... You don't have to make an issue out of the apology itself!!!"
I endured about ten minutes of what felt like mocking 'apologies' before exploding.
Han Si-a blew up right after hearing me.
See? Told you not to help crying people.
"Yeah~? Took me just two hours to make that 'amazing' notebook of yours~~ If you're wasting that much cash just prepping for first-year high school exams, I could solve them with my feet and still win~"
You dog of a girl. Y'know, if you were gonna buy notes with money, just give it to me directly.
After that, it devolved into pointless trash talk.
Not even real conversation.
Just scraping the bottom of each other's character barrels.
The bickering dragged on until a security guard was about to show up after nearby residents complained about the noise...
It ended when I snapped back at something she said about my mom with 'Yeah, your mom,' and she fired back, 'My mom's dead, you bastard.'
...
I apologized for the family jab.
...Shit. Should've just stayed calm and demanded cash for the notes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Han Si-a's Perspective
Jeong Yi-an... is the kind of moron who deserves getting backstabbed by club seniors.
A first-year high schooler like me, and he calls me a 'lucky middle schooler'? Isn't that just spitting in the wind while lying down?
And yet he brags he studies better than academy instructors. Even turns down the info I offered as atonement. What gives him the right to act so arrogant?
Dealing with mindless bugs wouldn't piss me off this much, but this guy's fully capable of speech and straight-up mocks me... I can't hold back the rage.
Any guilt I felt is long gone.
Guess I'll have to personally crush him during midterms to show him his place.
Prove I was gonna win anyway, notes or no notes.
Yeah. How about a bet with Jeong Yi-an? Loser plays servant to the winner for a month?
That guy pretending not to study while cramming behind the scenes.
The one spouting nonsense about studying better than teachers.
When the scores come out and he realizes he's ranked below me, I'll smile and say:
'Aw, you studied so hard? Sorry my score's higher? No matter how much more you do, it'll end the same next time. Why not focus on what you're good at, like sandwich shop work? Here, let me help. Go grab some bread?'
I wanna see him grit his teeth in humiliation, trembling with rage. Just imagining it sends shivers of delight up my spine.
"Si-a. You okay now? They say if you cry then laugh, horns grow on your butt!"
Hm... I wasn't laughing. Right? Laughing in front of the girl who'd been comforting me till just now would look kinda bad.
Jeong Yi-an stormed off home fuming after our fight, while this girl stayed to walk me back.
Unlike that guy—who's got a brain but zero character—this one's got a kind heart. The dyed hair and sloppy uniform made her look like a delinquent thug, but I need to revise that.
Then, the new part-timer Yoo So-mi, watching me, brought up something out of left field.
"Si-a. You wanna make trouble for your stepmom? 'Cause I know a good way..."
...What? Right now, her tough-girl look feels super reliable.